There remained a dearth of interest for imported ferrous scrap in key buyer market Vietnam due to the sharp price downtrend in the week to Friday January 22, market sources told Fastmarkets.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange and Shanghai Futures Exchange were for the most part down on Friday January 22, after having been up across the board a day earlier, while markets generally seem to be taking a breather after the enthusiasm the US presidential inauguration brought.

Hot-rolled coil prices in the United States have eased somewhat after soaring to a record high one week ago.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange and Shanghai Futures Exchange were up across the board this morning, Thursday January 21, showing dips and pauses are attracting further buying, with tin and nickel leading on the upside.

Hot-rolled coil prices in the United States dipped despite buyers still struggling to find spot tons at competitive prices.

Lithium miner Pilbara Minerals has completed the acquisition of Altura Lithium, it said on Wednesday January 20.

Xia Juncheng has become the chief executive officer of Chinese lithium producer Tianqi with effect from Saturday January 16, according to a filing to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

There were gains across the board for the London Metal Exchange base metals this morning, Wednesday January 20, with a weaker US Dollar Index and a firm commitment on further stimulus in the United States pushing copper and aluminium up by 1.2% and 1% respectively.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange and Shanghai Futures Exchange were once again mixed this morning, Wednesday January 20, but the likelihood of plentiful US fiscal stimulus in the days ahead is likely to underpin markets at least for a while, although any new measures to tackle Covid-19 may well become a headwind.

Hot-rolled coil prices in the United States held steady while buyers continued to struggle in their quest for spot tonnage at the domestic mills.